Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
This was SO GOOD. I just loved the author's personal and honest take on the terrible thing that happened to her sister--the terrible domestic violence and torture she endured before shooting her partner in defense of herself and her children, and how this all played out through the legal system into the compounding of this terrible tragedy by separating this mother from her children. It was heartbreaking and infuriating that we are still here in this place, punishing women for protecting themselves from abusers. Horton puts us right in the middle of the action--her shock, fear, worry, exhaustion, anger, endurance in caring for her niece and nephew--you are right there experiencing this with her. I cried and hollered and told all my family about this book and how angry the legal decisions here made me. This is not only a mesmerizing read, but beautifully written, and also so important as the country continues to struggle to protect women from abusers. This is an important book that is still so compelling to read. Highly, highly recommended.

Michelle Horton’s memoir tells the story of a family ripped apart by domestic violence and the criminal justice system that failed them. “Dear Sister” begins the night Michelle learns her sister, Nikki Addimando, shot her partner who was the father of Nikki’s two young children after suffering years of incredible physical, sexual and mental abuse. Michelle’s world is turned upside down as she tries to process the secrets that Nikki kept and her guilt for not realizing what had been taking place for years. Michelle is thrust into the role of legal advocate for Nikki as well as caregiver for her two children while caring for her own son having recently separated from her own addictive husband. The failure of the legal system to believe Nikki’s story and the vindictive actions of the prosecution to deprive Nikki of proper legal counsel are astounding but unfortunately believable for many domestic violence survivors. The book is part legal thriller coupled with Michelle’s seemingly insurmountable day-to-day challenges of keeping the family together while supporting Nikki in jail and then prison. It is hard to fathom how one’s world can change so dramatically overnight. Michelle tells their heartbreaking story with incredible courage and honesty and leaves the reader with hope for a future when the family will be reunited. Everyone should have a sister like Michelle and no one should need one like Nikki did.

To say this book was heart wrenching is not enough and to know that this is a true story is gut-wrenching. The memoir unfolds against the backdrop of a high-profile case involving domestic abuse, murder, incarceration, and the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system. This book is a moving and intimate exploration of the complexities of sisterhood, the impact of abuse, and the challenges of seeking justice within a flawed system. Despite the intense emotionality of the book, I found it hopeful. #netgalley #dearsister

Note: I received a free digital advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Every time I sit down to type a review of this book, I get choked up. I step away, try to compose myself, and come back a few hours later. This has happened several times.

Michelle Horton’s sister, Nikki Addimando, is a criminalized survivor of domestic violence. Michelle only learned about Nikki’s years-long severe abuse the night that Nikki, in self-defense and to protect her 2 toddlers, shot and killed her abusive partner. This book is Michelle’s account of how it affected her and her son and Nikki’s traumatized kids who came to live with them.

I am very familiar with this case. I thought I knew most of it. Not only was I mistaken about that but I was woefully ignorant of the depth and breadth of the impact of this on Michelle. She writes eloquently of the day-to-day chaos suddenly injected into her life - emotional chaos, calendar chaos, financial chaos, physical chaos, professional chaos, social chaos. There is no sense of self-pity in her story, yet it is very personal and raw. It was difficult to put down and I hope to read about how these remarkable sisters move forward.

Despite the intense emotionality of the book, I found it quite hopeful - a smart, warm, articulate, capable community seemed to have sprung up spontaneously around Michelle to help her with so much of the rough and challenging work that needed doing. Her love for her son, nephew and niece is unwavering, even when she doesn’t know how to talk about this very complicated and delicate situation. Michelle’s devotion to and support of her incarcerated sister is unwavering. They are both dear sisters.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy of Dear Sister.

Wow. This book is H-E-A-V-Y. Gut-wrenching. Soul crushing. Heart breaking. Devastating.
I never heard of Nikki Addimando before reading this book, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that I will never forget her after reading this book. Told from Nikki's sister's point of view, we get an in depth exploration into the lives that were ripped apart when Nikki shot her boyfriend after suffering years of sexual, physical and mental abuse by his hands. Nikki's story is told with a truthful vulnerability that is sometimes difficult to digest. It took so much courage for Nikki's sister Michelle to tell their story and the story of the three children whose lives will forever be affected by what happened. Dear Sister moved me to tears, made me nauseous, caused my stomach to flip back and forth and gave me literal goose bumps. I will forever be haunted by Nikki's story and will be watching out next year for the moment that she is released from prison. Thank you Michelle for sharing this deeply personal and private journey with the world. I know that it will bring hope and awareness to those that need it most.

Dear Sister is a heartbreakingly beautiful book. I live in the community where the events in the book take place, and I have been following the story over the past few years, but this book truly illuminates the situation. I found this book enthralling, and I couldn't put it down. As someone who lives locally, I knew almost every location described in the book which added another element to my reading it. Michelle Horton does an incredible job weaving together past and present. The information she shares about her experiences, and her sister's experiences, as well as all of the family involved is unfathomable. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to read this story through Net Galley.

Dear Sister by Michelle Horton is a memoir following her life and her sister’s after she is incarcerated for killing her abuser. As you read this memoir you follow the high-profile case of Nikki Addimando.
Michelle tells you her struggles as she’s a single mom plus raising her niece and nephew, while fighting the battle of the criminal justice system. During the investigation, Michelle learns of things she never knew was happening, how bad her little sister was being abused.

This memoir is a very intimate memoir of trauma, love, loss, and desperation, I was amazed at all the legal troubles they had. I had never heard of the case before so it was very shocking for me to read. I am someone that loves memoirs and I must say this is definitely at the top of my favorites list. I hope people pick up this memoir and become aware at what is happening in so many houses behind closed doors. I hope someone that needs the push to be aware of the #metoo movement reads this and can find the help they need.
All through this book I just wanted to hug them all. It’s a very raw book, from the emotions of Nikki, to Michelle, to the kids.
This book does have some graphic scenes that may be triggering to others.

I received this book as an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

Before reading this book I had never heard of Nikki’s case. I chose not to google Nikki’s case before reading this book. I wanted to give the author the respect of having an impartial opinion of not just her book but the case in general.

Michelle is an excellent writer. She has authored a book that is full of emotion, affection and dedication. This book is much more than a memoir…it is a narrative for all criminalized survivors.

After reading Michelle’s memoir and researching Niki’s case online all I have to say is
#WeStandWithNikki

If after reading this book you are as moved as I am…I highly recommend listening to the podcast Believe Her and visit the website westandwithniki.com to learn more about Niki and her case.

I had heard of Nikki's case before I read this book, but didn't know many details. I feel such sorry for both Nikki and Michelle and their family for all that Nikki has been through and the way that it trickles down to effect Michelle. The parts where the court are hearing the case and you think for sure they will see that Nikki acted in self defense are some of the more difficult parts to read of the book. My heart absolutely breaks for Nikki's kids. Abuse makes you feel like there is no way to escape. Nikki took the only way out that she felt she could that would leave her kids at least one parent. It's a difficult read. Not for the faint of heart, but Nikki's story deserves to be heard.

I love to read memoirs. Other people's stories intrigue me. Horton's is no exception. It is full of sisterhood secrets, bonds, caretaking, injustices and more. I liked her writing style and how brave she is to tell her point of view of a case involving her sister. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I hadn't heard of this case before requesting this book and I kept myself from googling any information so I could go into this with no background information.
This is such an important book about domestic violence and victims who are not believed. It's appalling how this trial went even though it seems like there was a ton of proof in the defence's side. How heartbreaking for her children. But the author is doing a remarkable job and has a great support system in place for her sister and family.